About Pat

Here is a place where you can come to get a lift for the day, perhaps, a little insight to carry you through onto the next adventure of your life. A place where I’ll share a story, perhaps a thought and some reflections and we’ll meet somewhere in the middle. I like to think of it as a gathering around the kitchen table late at night when everything is still and the world has quieted down to rest. Occupation: Writer, blogger, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and one learning and sharing stories in my life. Location: Bailey, CO Introduction: 2007 Plain Talk and Ordinary Wisdom came out of Wisdom for the Ages, which was born in the corporate world where I gave workshops and facilitated talking-stick discussion groups. When my employer closed their site in 2002 and relocated back East, I took it outside corporate giving presentations as a speaker at Kiwanis, Mile High Sales Professionals, CWEE (Center for Work, Education and Employment) and Business Honoring Spirituality meetings. I also led weekly discussion groups at Morningstar Assisted Living Center. I am passionate about creating a safe environment where people can put aside their differences, share their experiences and wisdom without being right or wrong and benefit from truly listening to one another. It all started with inspiration from a quote from Ram Dass in his book, "Still Here": ….”when there is true surrender and service between people, the roles of helper and helped and the boundaries between those in power and those who are powerless begin to dissolve.”

Just For Fun

Future Self Photo by Eddi van W. on Flickr

Future Self – Photo by Eddi van W. © Jun 2010 in Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/spiritual_marketplace/4680075318/

Slade Roberson at Shift Your Spirits recently wrote a post (with same photo) called “Please, You Must Be Eccentric” and it got me thinking. What would it feel like to have no inhibitions and, just for fun, let go, let it rip and totally set our imaginations free?

What would be the first thing you’d do ― dance around, shout for joy, sing, laugh, take off for Paris, get married????? The imaginations are endless when we just let go of the what-if’s!  Continue reading

Are You Doing What You Love?

downtown Chicago

Downtown Chicago – Photo by Pat Ruppel © March 2011

I woke up this morning thinking about doing what I love going through the checks and balances in my heart and mind. I have to admit practicing this has had its challenges since I retired early last year in 2012.

I no longer have the typical, daily routine of commuting and the structure of the corporate world where your day is laid out creating work for someone else.

You may ask, “You have a problem with that?” No! It just comes with a few pleasant and happy challenges in the rearranging of life disciplines and attitudes.  Continue reading

A Thought….That’s All It Takes

Contemplation
Contemplation – MSN Clipart

A thought…that’s all it takes…another thought, then another. They seem to
come in waves one after another with energy and a life of their own.

I wonder where they come from. We all have them. It’s not unusual, uncommon or
unique. Yet, one thought if entertained can change the world.  Continue reading

Craving Sweets Anyone?

Sweets Photo from MSN Clipart

Sweets Photo from MSN Clipart

Unfortunately, I crave all the typical sweets – too many to count. There’s the sweet creamy “natural bliss” for my coffee, the leftover candy canes and chocolates.  And don’t get me started on the pies, cookies and pumpkin rolls from Christmas not to mention the Tootsie pops or jelly beans year round.

Oh yes! I know about your sweets!

I recently came across a story Oriah Mountain Dreamer wrote on her site “The Green Bough” where she talks about sweets in a different context.  Continue reading

It’s a New Dawn, It’s a New Day

sky photo

Sky Photo © by Jim Ruppel

It’s 2013! ~~ Taken from Nina Simone’s Feeling Good”, it truly is a new dawn, a new day, a new life for me and a new year.

I don’t know how you felt when this New Year chimed in but I felt that baggage I carried around my whole life drop off my shoulders New Year’s Eve.

I finally had taken a new road instead of the same old beaten path. With my arms wide open, I welcomed 2013Continue reading